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How to Handle Sexual Harassment in Law Offices

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published August 18, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment?

"Sexual harassment" refers to undesired sexual advances. Sexual harassment is a violation of personal rights provided for in Civil Rights Act Title VII, which was passed in1993. According to the aforementioned Act, sexual harassment constitutes undesired sexual advances, including words or actions that are sexual in nature and have a direct effect on a person's employment in terms of performance and/or making the work environment uncomfortable. Sexual harassment is not only be perpetrated by a member of the opposite sex; a member of the same sex as the victim might be responsible. Another major element that is used to distinguish sexual harassment from harmless conduct is the intention of the harasser. If the harasser does not have any sexual intentions, then the alleged conduct or words may not qualify or amount to sexual harassment. Lack of consent is yet another important element that must be proved in sexual harassment cases. There must be proof that the victim did not consent to the sexual advances, words, or conduct of the harasser.

Prevalence of Sexual Harassment

The Human Rights Act of 1993, which seeks to define human rights and protect those rights, states that any acts or words that violate human dignity amount to an abuse of human rights. The law has put the onus on all employers and all senior-level management in organizations to ensure that sexual harassment does not occur in when people are on the job. Despite the passing of this act, however, sexual harassment is still prevalent in workplaces, especially in law offices. Sexual harassment by lawyers is very common in the world today. While it would be expected that such a violation of the law would not occur in law offices as people working there are familiar with the law, law offices are actually the place where sexual harassment is most prevalent.

Read related: Leave Sex, Politics, Religion, and Social Activism out of Your Job Search and Career If You Want to Work in a Large Law Firm

A classic example is that of Rena Weeks, who had been employed as a secretary by a reputable law firm. The man she was working under, however, constantly pursued her, always making clear his sexual intentions. Rena quit the firm and sued her former boss. She was awarded significant compensation, not only for the embarrassment and depression she suffered but also for the financial loss occasioned by her resignation.

It is quite obvious that there are numerous cases of this nature, many of which are never reported as the victims suffer in silence. The step that Weeks took was a brave one which unfortunately not many women are able to take. Weeks' case goes a long way to show how prevalent sexual harassment still is, especially in law offices, more than ten years after the legislation against sexual harassment was passed.

United States
What to Do When Sexually Harassed

The first thing that victims of sexual harassment are advised never to do is to keep quiet about the problem. Failure to report sexual harassment at its early stages could bring adverse consequences later. It is also important that the victim takes the bold step of confronting the harasser. The harasser should be made aware that his behavior and/or his words or conduct are undesirable and uncalled for. It is also wise to seek support from other people, especially coworkers. In extreme cases, however, a victim has a legal right to file a suit against the harasser under the relevant laws and legislation.

What to Do When Falsely Accused of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is not only a violation of the relevant laws; it is also a violation of societal morals. Therefore, it follows that it is a weighty and grievous offense that causes a lot of emotional distress, either for the victim or for any person who is falsely accused of the offense. As a matter of fact, falsely accusing any person of sexual harassment is in itself a violation of the law that can lead to a jail term. False accusations of that sort amount to defamation of character, and one can, therefore, file a case under the relevant defamation laws.

How to Protect Yourself from Sexual Harassment

It is not easy to anticipate sexual harassment and therefore know how to protect yourself. However, to be on the safe side, it is important to always keep a few things in mind to ensure that you protect yourself from sexual harassment. Firstly, it is important to always follow your company's dress code when going to work; revealing clothes should not be worn in the workplace. Jokes that are sexual in nature should be avoided at all costs. This will help prevent misinterpretations by others. As already mentioned, if you feel that you are being sexually harassed, it is not wise to remain silent about it.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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